Dog Friendly: The Yorkshire Coast

Spending a day by the seaside can be the perfect way to relax and have fun with friends and family… but if you are taking your dog with you then it is important to do your research first as many beaches have dog restrictions during the summer months. I thought it would be fun to take Fifi to the seaside so she could see the sea and play on the sand, and I’m pleased to say that she loved it… we all did!

If you are planning to visit the Yorkshire Coast from West Yorkshire, then I would certainly advise avoiding the roads which are too close to York, as you’ll find a lot of congestion. Instead, I recommend taking the scenic route, this way you can pass through, and stop off at, some beautiful towns in the Ryedale district. If you’ve got your dog with you, you can also stretch your legs on the North York Moors, as the road passes by the Sutton Bank National Park.

Itinerary: Ilkley to Filey Day Out

• After passing through Otley, stop off at The Blue Barn on Pool Road to collect a toy or bone to keep the dog happy for the journey.
• Stop off at the dog-friendly Beadlam Grange Farmshop and Tearoom 
• Park up at Reighton Sands, and have a lovely time on the beach! ?
• Drive to Filey, either park up somewhere and go for a stroll, or stay in the car and enjoy the views whilst driving about – there is a road which goes along the seafront, so you can really get the feel of it without having to get out. (Good if it is raining or if you’re struggling to park).
• Go to the Scarborough Stained Glass Centre for lunch in the lovely garden, and to have a look at the beautiful stained glass creations!
• Head home for a well-deserved nap!

Beadlam Grange Farmshop and Tearoom

There are plenty of parking spaces here, and a good grassy area for the dog to stretch her legs and have a wee. There is some outside seating, but dogs are allowed inside too. There is a relaxed and laid-back feel to the place, and the staff are very friendly and efficient. There are some gorgeous shops surrounding the dining area, my favorite being the artisan florist shop of Queens Flowers – stunning! If you arrive before midday breakfast is being served, and after midday, you can order from the lunch menu.

They also have a range of cakes and scones being served throughout the day. As it is also a farm shop, you can pick up a wide variety of fresh and local produce, and there is also a wonderful gift shop.

Reighton Sands

I had originally planned on going to Flamborough beach, but after chatting with a very helpful person at Discover Yorkshire Coast it sounded like Reighton Sands would be a better bet as it is a longer stretch of beach, which is definitely dog-friendly. The postcode for the sat nav is YO14 9QP – there is a little free car park which could probably fit in about a maximum of 20 cars, or if its full you can park on the street. Then as you walk down the steps you’re greeted by a beautiful view of the sea. Fifi feeling inspired by the view decided to do her business, and as I was bagging it up, a kind lady who was passing by offered to take it for me, as she already had one from her dog and was on her way to the bin – the best thing about visiting the Yorkshire coast, is that you’re still surrounded by awesome kind and awesome Yorkshire people!!

The beach is made up of pebbles and sand, and there is also a grassy bank up the side of the cliff for dogs to run on. It is lovely here, because it is a bit out of the way it feels like a hidden gem. The other people we met on the beach were all locals walking their dogs or going for a swim in the sea! I could not recommend this place enough, such a perfect destination for Fifi’s first visit to the seaside!!

Stained Glass Centre

On the way to the beach, I had spotted a sign to the stained glass centre and tea rooms, so we deviated from the plan and called in. The centre is next to Scarbrough Footgolf, which isn’t dog-friendly, but did look like fun!
The tearooms at the stained glass centre do allow dogs in the garden area, you just have to walk your dog around the side of the building to get there. As we were arriving the lady in charge just happened to be filling up a dog water bowl which she then put down next to the table where she seated us.

We had a lovely time sitting outside in the sun eating our late lunch. Leaving Guy and Fifi outside, I ventured inside to have a look at all of the lovely stained glass. There’s plenty of things to buy in there to take with you as a souvenir, and lots of those gorgeous tiny glass animals.

Other Dog-Friendly Cafes on the Yorkshire Coast

When I was doing my research, I was looking for places on the Yorkshire Coast which were both dog-friendly and used free-range eggs and meat in their cooking (not that I would eat the meat, but I’d rather support somewhere that cares about animal welfare!). Although I didn’t get to try all of these places, below are some of the cafes which I would like to visit on my next trip.

• The Coffee Shed, Filey
• The Wish Cat Cafe, Bridlington
• Filey Bistro & Coffee Bar
• Redcliffe Farm Shop

Final Thoughts

Luckily Fifi seems to enjoy car journeys, but if you’ve got a dog who isn’t so keen, this might be a bit far for you to go in one day. Ideally, I think a trip to Filey and the surrounding areas would be lovely if you could stay in a dog-friendly hotel in the centre, then you could explore without having to concern yourself with trying to park, and it would mean you wouldn’t have to drive so far in one day. Dog-owners would benefit from visiting out of season, (avoiding 1st May – 30th September). After this time, you can take your dog on any beach without getting a fine and it ought to be less busy.

Thank you to Discover Yorkshire Coast for their advice, and we hope to come back soon!

If you enjoyed this then you’ll love reading about our visit to the wonderful Ingleton Waterfalls Trail!